When it was first confirmed that Oklahoma would be heading to the SEC, my first thought was one of “wow, now we’re head-to-head with Alabama on the gridiron each year.”
Aside from a smattering of bowl games and a home and home series 21 years ago, these historic programs haven’t squared off with any regularity. Between them they share 25 National Championships, 11 Heisman Trophy Winners and 166 Consensus All-Americans.
Of course, most Sooners faithful still hold fond memories a mere five years ago when QB Jalen Hurts used his final year of eligibility, and packed his bags for Norman, leaving Alabama behind.
In advance of the Crimson Tide’s second ever visit to Norman (you’d have to go back to 2002) I sat down with Alabama great Barrett Jones who was the anchor of three title teams for Nick Saban.
Craig: Our readers are curious: Have you created a big enough trophy room in your house for the various awards and honors you collected while playing at Alabama?
Barrett: (laughs) To be honest, most of my awards are still at my parents’ house in the attic. The only award that really mattered to me was being named Team Captain, since it was voted on by the team and meant a lot.
Craig: It’s never easy replacing a legend, what grade would you give Head Coach Kalen DeBoer this season?
Barrett: I’ve been consistent on this; it’s going to take time. I like that he’s trying to be himself and not be Nick Saban. I firmly believe Nick Saban is the greatest coach of all-time, but I also believe that there was a period of time in which we had a distinct talent advantage over everyone else. The margins today however have closed significantly. That’s just a reality of college football in 2024. Now there’s not the elite teams anymore, but a bunch of really good teams. NIL has leveled out some of the talent. There’s a lot of factors at work, even a program like Georgia has multiple losses.
Craig: Do you have a favorite Nick Saban story that you could share?
Barrett: He was so focused and intense on winning. We won it in 2009. In 2010 it’s a little disappointing because that was the most talented team I was on, but we didn’t win it. In 2011 we won it again and beat LSU in the rematch. It’s only two days after that win, we haven’t even had the actual parade. Coach calls a meeting; we’re all thinking it’s about details on what to do at the parade. He proceeds to tell us that after the parade happens, he no longer wants us to talk about or celebrate the 2011 championship. He says that we’re behind in recruiting, other teams have already started training so it’s in the rearview and I’ve still got confetti in my hair. (laughs) It was time to get back to work. It worked out pretty well, because we won it all again in 2012.
Craig: The Sooners are finding out the hard way just how difficult it can be to navigate the rugged terrain of an SEC Conference schedule, but it works both ways. Bama has to travel to Norman, the week before the Iron Bowl which is also no easy feat.
Barrett: This is as rugged of an SEC schedule that I’ve ever seen. There are some really good teams. Vanderbilt is a tough out right now, they even took Texas to the wire.
Craig: I live in Katy, TX. Jalen Milroe is somewhat of a legend around here. I’ve always believed that as he performs, the Tide does as well. Am I correct in that statement?
Barrett: I think that’s probably true. The thing I was most pleased with in the win over LSU was the coaching staff did a really good job of tailoring the offense to his strengths. They went back to the drawing board. They ran the offense that fit his needs a little bit more. He shouldn’t throw the ball 45 times as he did last month in the loss to Tennessee. That’s not his game.
Craig: Do you think Alabama can go out and win the National Championship?
Barrett: You know, I honestly have no idea who I’d pick. Do we really think that Oregon is great? Do you think even Ohio State is great? It’s going to be really fun to watch. It’s going to come down to the wire. I think there are ten teams that can win it and Alabama is one of them but in a twelve-team playoff format, it’s going to come down to who gets hot at the right time. I can’t wait to see what happens.
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